NHL Trade Rumours: Jarome Iginla's Streak Making It More Likely He'll Be Dealt?

Well, the short answer is no—at least not this season.

The long answer contains multiple factors.

Yes, Jarome Iginla is on a hot streak. Why this is surprising to anyone is beyond me.

However, there is a reason behind this. 

As Eric Francis confirmed on Hockey Night in Canada on November 20th, Iginla was told by the Calgary Flames organization that he would not be traded this season. Is it coincidental that the previous night, Iginla scored a hat trick against the Chicago Blackhawks and has subsequently tallied an additional three goals and an assist since? 

Perhaps the pressure is now off and Iginla can shine like he normally does. But if the Calgary Flames end up missing the playoffs again this season, will Iginla then be traded or will he even ask for one beforehand? Is this hot streak increasing his trade value?

I was personally skeptical to believe any trade rumours about Iginla to begin with, especially considering that this would, in a way, be an admission of failure for Darryl Sutter and that's just not going to happen.

As it turned out, there was no merit to the Los Angeles Kings rumours, nor any of the others. In short, the Flames are not shopping Iginla around.

But how does Iginla feel about remaining in Calgary?

Say what you will about the remaining years of his contract, but that contract is a deal compared to what he could have acquired at the time. It showed that Iginla was committed to staying in Calgary, especially since he chose to sign before a free-agent frenzy. His love for the city is clear, establishing his career and family in Calgary.

Seeing Iginla on a hot streak after being told he wouldn't be traded this season shows that his commitment remains in Calgary. Clearly, the news relaxed him, perhaps even made him happy.

However, as many have pointed out, who is more deserving than Iginla to win the Stanley Cup and how likely is it that that will happen in Calgary? Would Iginla request a trade?

Again, it's not likely that that will happen this season. Above all reasons, Iginla is just too classy to do that. It's not cliche, it's fact.

If the Flames fail to make the playoffs, it's quite possible that will happen, especially if Iginla feels that's what's best for the team. 

There are, still, a number of factors about the organization that have to be considered when debating this topic. Here are a few things to consider:

1. Darryl Sutter is the most stubborn GM...ever: One main point that I'm surprised few considered when talking about Iginla trade rumours is the fact that GM Sutter is not one to admit fault. Trading Iginla is the equivalent of admitting a rebuild is imminent. First Iginla, then Robyn Regehr and then even Miikka Kiprusoff. Sutter is clearly not interested in this outcome, nor is he interested in admitting the team he built through and through has failed. In case you all didn't notice, Sutter is the definition of stubborn, and one only has to look at this past summer (cough....Olli Jokinen) to see this.
2. If the Flames don't make the playoffs, who would go first? You want to see anger, just look to Flames fans' reactions when Jokinen was re-signed. I personally believe Darryl Sutter signed Ratis Ivanans mainly as a personal bodyguard, rather than as an addition to the team. So ask Flames fans who they'd expect to go first if the Flames didn't make the playoffs this year, and I'd guarantee you 90% of them would be enraged if it ended up being Iginla. The Sutter family has largely taken over the organization; this is their project. The failure of the team is a direct reflection on them, so it seems to make sense that they'd be gone. It's surprising enough that GM Sutter remained in Calgary after last season. If this is the case, Iginla may want to wait and see how new management handles the team.
3. Contrary to popular belief, many want Iginla to remain in Calgary: Iginla has a lot of supporters, far more than anyone can imagine, in Calgary; the feeling is mutual with Iginla. Perhaps many feel that he'll never win the Cup with Calgary, but perhaps Iginla is dedicated to making that happen. As far as his commitment goes, I personally don't feel that it would be a betrayal if he decided to move on; he's done a lot for the city and for the team. The results at the end of the season will truly reveal what the fate of the team is, and most importantly, where Iginla will decide to place himself.

That's the gist of the current Iginla situation. Even though he was told he would not be traded this season, I don't believe that the rumours will come to a halt.

If he continues this hot streak consistently throughout the season, the idea of a trade may become more enticing for both Iginla and management.

Mark my words though, Iginla will not be traded this season.